If you're a fiction writer -- whether you're working on a novel, short story, screenplay, television series, play, web series, webserial, or blog-based fiction -- your characters should come alive for your reader or audience. The highly detailed chart below will help writers develop fictional characters who are believable, captivating, and unique.
Print this page to complete the form for each main character you create.

IMPORTANT: Note that all fields are optional and should be used simply as a guide; character charts should inspire you to think about your character in new ways, rather than constrain your writing. Fill in only as much info as you choose. Have fun getting to know your character!

You can also choose one of the following printable formats:.pdf (Adobe Acrobat required) | .doc (MS Word) | .rtf (Rich Text Format)

If this character chart is helpful, please let us know! To join our community, which focuses on online writing, visit http://www.epiguide.com -- and feel free to show off your character charts.

Describe any personal habits, e.g. smoking, drinking, drugs, gambling, etc.
Are any of these addictions?

Morning Routine:

Describe the character's morning rituals. Who else is sleeping in the same bed? What time does he/she wake up? Is he/she cheerful in the morning? What wakes him/her up -- alarm, spouse/lover, kids, pet? What does he/she do during breakfast-read, watch tv, feed kids, etc.

Afternoon/Workday:

Now describe the character's workday or afternoon behavior. Does s/he work outside the home? How does he/she get there? Does he/she anticipate, dread, resent the work ahead? Does s/he give the job genuine attention and effort? Does s/he enjoy this work? Is s/he good at this job? What would he/she rather be doing? How long and hard is the work day?

Does s/he stop for lunch? Where?

Dinner:

Does s/he eat at home or go out a lot? If the latter, what is/are his or her favorite restaurant(s)? At home, who prepares the meal? Who does he/she eat it with? What does it typically consist of? What goes on during dinner -- tv, conversation, fighting, reading, etc? Who cleans up?

Evening:

What does your character do on a typical evening? Where? With whom? How much does he/she enjoy it? What is the ideal evening for him or her?

Bedtime:

Does he/she go to bed at a consistent time? Alone or with someone else? Does s/he usually fall asleep right way, or is s/he an insomniac? Does he/she dream -- a lot, a little, never? Are most of his/her dreams scary, pleasant, sexual, imaginative? Are there any recurring dreams? Does s/he sleep well or poorly (e.g. tossing & turning)?

Skills/Talents:

What is s/he particularly unskilled at?

Any hobbies (sports, arts, collecting, gaming, etc.):

THE PAST:

Home town (if different from current home):

Was his/her childhood happy? Troubled? Dull? (And does the character remember it accurately?)

Earliest
memory:

Saddest memory:

Happiest memory:

How much school did s/he attend, if any?
Did/does s/he like school? Why or why not?

Most
significant childhood event:

Other significant childhood events, if any?

Significant past jobs:

Any police record?

If so, what was the arrest for? When/where?

Convictions? Sentence(s) served?

First crush or romantic love?

What was his/her first sexual experience?
Is it a positive/negative memory?

Major accidents or traumas?
How is s/he still affected, if at all?

FAMILY OF ORIGIN:

Mother's name (include maiden name if known/applicable):

Mother's current status:

___
living
___
deceased
(If living, her age: ____)

Mother's occupation, if any:

Describe the mother's relationship
with character:

Father's name:

Father's current status:

___
living
___
deceased
(If living, his age: ____)

Father's occupation, if any:

Describe the father's relationship
with character:

Any step-parents, foster parents,
or birth parents (if not same as above):

If s/he is adopted, does s/he know?

Any siblings (include age and birth order, i.e. relative to main character):

Relationship
with each:

Nieces/Nephews, if any:

In-Laws, if any:

Other than the above, who else in the story is part of his/her extended family (e.g. cousins, aunts/uncles, grandparents, etc.)?

RELATIONSHIPS
WITH OTHERS:

Who, if anyone, is his/her best or closest friend?

Other close friends:

How in general does s/he react to or is perceived by...

Friends?

Strangers?

Spouse/Lover?

Past spouse/lovers?

Own children, if any?

Other family members

The opposite sex?

Children in general?

Others who are more successful?

Others who are less successful?

Boss (if any)?

Underlings at work?

Competitors?

Authority (police, IRS, politicians, attorneys, doctors, etc.)?

Anyone who challenges him or her?

Anyone who angers him or her?

Anyone who asks for help?

What do most people consider likeable about him/her?

What
do most people consider his/her biggest flaw?

Any secret attractions? If so, does the other person know it? Has there been any actual romantic/sexual activity?